She called her mother to say goodnight at 10 p.m. Six hours later, a driver found her body in the road, ten miles from where she should have been sleeping.
The Night
On the night of February 9, 1999, 15-year-old Ashley Ouellette of Saco, Maine, was staying at a friend''s sleepover when she and several friends were joined by a group of boys from school, including brothers Steven and Danny Sanborn. According to accounts from the other girls, Ashley went with the group to the Sanborns'' home, reportedly hoping to spend time with Steven, whom she had feelings for.
The Discovery
Around 4 a.m., a driver found Ashley''s body in the road on Pine Point Road in a neighboring town, roughly ten miles from the Sanborn residence. She had been strangled, with a broken neck.
Conflicting Accounts
The Sanborn family told police Ashley had been given a place to sleep on their couch and left on her own sometime after the household went to bed. Investigators, skeptical of the timeline, obtained a search warrant for the home and Danny Sanborn''s car, reportedly finding evidence of blood and dried grass matching material found on Ashley''s body. Danny Sanborn gave inconsistent accounts of his own whereabouts that morning. Despite this, no charges were ever filed, and the Sanborns have consistently denied any involvement.
A Second Disappearance
Months later, as the case remained the subject of intense local speculation, a young man named Tony Torres told his parents he knew who was responsible for Ashley''s murder, though he wouldn''t say who. According to his father, Torres said it "in a way that left no question" he was certain. Roughly three months after Ashley''s death, Torres went out with a group that included Jay Carney -- the same man reported to have driven Ashley to the Sanborns'' home the night she died. Torres and Carney left together for a nearby store; Carney returned alone. Torres was never seen again and was declared legally dead in 2004, though his body has never been found.
Where the Cases Stand
Both cases remain open. Jay Carney died of a drug overdose years later without ever being charged in either case. Maine State Police have continued to describe both investigations as active but have released limited public information about either.
FAQ
Has anyone been charged in Ashley Ouellette''s murder?
No. Despite persistent suspicion directed at people connected to the case, no charges have ever been filed.
Is Tony Torres'' disappearance connected to Ashley''s murder?
Investigators and Torres'' family have long suspected a connection, given his statement that he knew who was responsible shortly before he vanished, though this has never been confirmed.
Has Tony Torres ever been found?
No. He was declared legally dead in 2004, but his remains have never been located.